Northern Light

Title : Northern Light

Autor : KinderFrinds

Rating : M/NC-17/R

Warnings : Slash, Lemons, Swearing

Genre : Romance, Humor, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort

Disclaimer : Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Summary : "Why aren't you afraid?" he whispered in my ear. I shivered lustfully and looked right into his topaz eyes. I knew the answer but couldn't voice it. So I did the only thing I could think about. I kissed him. -Jaspard-

BlaBla : Hey there, guys! :D Here it is! The new chapter, completely different from the old version of NL, has finally arrived! I apologize for the delay, and for those who were as kind as to leave a review, your answers will come shortly! I won't go on ranting about random stuff as I'm sure you'd rather want to start reading, LOL

Have fun reading! :)

Chapter I : Omen

In the Olympic Peninsula of north-west Washington State, a small town named Forks exists under a near-constant cover of clouds. Rain pours on this insignificant town more than on any other place in the United States of America. It was from this very town and its almost never-ending grim aspect that my mother escaped with me when I was barely a year old. Funny thing that it was to this town and its depressing, gloomy shade that I was exiling myself right now; me who just loved to bath under the warm bursts of sun.

I narrowed my eyes in displeasure.

Inside my chest, there was a bubbling rage pulsing annoyingly underneath the surface, and still, I made it a point to not let it show on my face. I wasn't one to show openly my emotions, less talk about it. With the time, I had experienced that by exposing your feelings to the open world, you would only give people the stupid opportunity to use them as a weapon against you. Not many knew this, but indeed, emotions were terrifying and powerful things that could easily, if used the right way, afflict damages that were difficult to heal.

I closed my eyes, trying to drift to sleep and relish into the illusion that me leaving in order to live in Forks was just one of my other nightmares. But when, hours later, I landed to Port Angeles, I finally had to accept the fact that my new life would be spent here. It was raining heavily when I stepped outside the airport, the falling water not helping my dropping mood. Flipping my hood over my head, I was just about to wear my earphones when I noticed squad cars circling the block of apartments not far from me.

"What the hell?" I muttered to myself, music completely forgotten for now.

I frowned, a nagging memory behind my skull forcing me to remember why this building seemed so familiar to me. I tried hard to recollect the unclear memories attached to this complex but they seemed to slip between my fingers like dripping water. I couldn't help it, and as I was approaching the brand-new looking cars so I could learn a little bit more about the situation, I heard two throaty voices talk to each other.

"...that's just downright revolting how she died. She must have suffered or how can one explain the disgusting marks and bits on her body? If you ask me, Dersnley, looks like some kind of freakish animal launched itself straight away at her! Poor Lori, gone at only 18. But how did a creature, or whatever did this, managed to get onto the sixth floor? Lucky thing nobody else got..."

Lori...? This just couldn't be...

"Excuse me, sir, " I called out as I came to a stop in front of the duo. "What's going on here?'

"You shouldn't be here, boy," one of them said dryly, hitching up his pants in an arrogant gesture. "You a tenant?"

"No," I said, trying to keep my voice even, "but I-"

"Well then you really shouldn't be here. We don't need some teenage boy snuffling around this place 'cause this building here has become a crime scene. Understood?"

I blinked once, twice. Enough to calm down my growing anger. I swallowed my pride while taking a deep, soothing breath before swiftly looking at the baldy man. Face almost hidden behind my soaked hood, I knew that, under the gloomy shade floating in the air, my eyes had this strange brightness in them that made it so it was hard for someone to look away. Stepping forward, I kept my eyes fixed on him, barely squinting, knowing that my rigid posture and the seriousness of my expression were just some of my additional advantages.

Truth be told, since I could remember right, I'd always had a extremely charismatic personality and thus, had had the odd capacity to not only sense the emotions of those around me, but also manipulate them in a certain way. To know that I was some kind of freak because of this gift – like my father, Carlisle, liked to call it – I had learned to hide this part of myself that with the time, I had also learned to hate.

But using it sometimes couldn't hurt, right.

"What's going on here?" I feigned surprise. "Did someone...die?"

According to what Carlisle told me, crime rates in Port Angeles and Forks were so low they were practically non-existent. Even the faintest whisper of something as serious as a murder was big news and I couldn't help the cogs in my brain to work at lightning speed.

What was happening?

The baldly man began to reply, clearly under my visual grasp, when the other cut him off, effectively bringing him out of his doze. "What's your name? And your business in Port Angeles, if you don't mind me asking."

The baldly one blinked in confusion and I suppressed a sneer.

"Jasper Whitlock." Frankly, I didn't now why I used my mother's name bit I did. "I've just moved here. Well, in Forks to be honest," I shrugged, gesturing to my handbag with some stuff of mine in it.

"Well, Mister Whitlock, I'm Port Angeles' police officer, agent Dersnley. And this is agent Londington." He pointed the badly man standing next to him. "Welcome to our town, although I have some advice for you. Best not be so nosy. Bad things have been happening in these parts for quite a time now. Weird-as-hell things. Life's not what it used to be any more, I'm afraid."

"I understand what you mean," I nodded once, trying to sound respectful. "But I heard you talking a couple of minutes ago and I thought I heard you say Lori. I was only wondering if you were talking about...Lori Fronster...?"

Agent Dersnley sized me up. "Why yes, we actually were." He raised an eyebrow. "You knew her?"

I nodded as a chill ran down my spine, but I quickly suppressed it.

"Kind of," I answered in a clear voice. "We were together in kindergarten."

This was while I was actually living in Forks, with Carlisle, before he wasn't this incredible doctor everybody was talking about nowadays. Back then, he had had time and had taken really good care of me, until he got this unique opportunity to really excel in some branches of medicine. He had been thorn between me and his dream of becoming an amazing doctor. At first, I was confused as a little child as why I was suddenly staying with Esme and not with Carlisle any more. It took some time to adjust and it took even more time to understand and accept the fact that my father decided that, back then, medicine had been, in some way, more important than me.

But anyway, I wasn't really sure about what I was supposed to feel knowing about Lori's death. Sure, it was pretty sad, and, according to their previous discussion, her death had been painful. The truth was, me and Lori never really got on well. Little, she used to pick on me because of my former habit of talking to myself since I didn't really have many friends back then. Well, let's be honest. I had had no friends at all since they were kind of afraid of me. By all means, they didn't manage to figure out what was so different about me but they just had known.

Kids were better at sensing their surroundings than grown up people. They had this distinct little thing in their head that just warned them that something – anything – wasn't the way it seemed. And Lori loved to stick this aberrant fact under my noise. I used to hate her, I guess, but felt guilty for her when at some point, she had needed an urgent blood-transfusion and nobody would agree to do it. Frankly, even now I don't know why I helped her out. Maybe because I sensed her fear and her hurt feelings? Anyway, I told Carlisle that I was ready to give her some of my blood.

A noble thing to do, I guess, for a six year old.

And now she was dead. Killed by some kind of unknown animal that managed to get to her even though, apparently, she was living on the sixth floor. This was just completely insane and -

"Jasper?"

Many things happened at once. Agent Londington was about to say something, huffing indignantly it seemed but Dersnley, looking serious, nudged him on the ribs to shut him up. An umbrella was suddenly being held up over my head, preventing the drops to fall over me, and I was blinking in confusion when a gentle hand landed on my soaked shoulder. A bit startled, but not showing it, I turned around and found myself looking straight into Carlisle's eyes.

His honey blond hair was combed in a natural but seductive way, while a stern expression was set on his smooth features. Blue eyes were first fixed on me before drifting towards the two police officers.

"Agent Dersnley, agent Londington." Carlisle nodded. "It's good to see you despite this tragic circumstance. I believe something terrible happened?"

Dersnley seemed to snap out of his mild surprise. "Uh, yeah, yeah. Terrible thing happened here..." He paused, staring at the both of us with confusion. "That's your boy? He does look quite a lot like you, Doctor."

Carlisle smiled fondly. "Yeah, this is my son, Jasper. Jasper Cullen."

At those words, Londington this idiot, called out in surprise, "Cullen? He introduced himself as Whitlock though." He threw me a nasty look and I discretely clenched my fists.

"Oh," breathed Carlisle out and a wave of his current emotions brushed into me.

I cast my eyes down, feeling slightly guilty for his sudden disappointment, not liking to know that my father was hurt because of my tactlessness.

"That's because that's his mother's name." He smiled, even though it looked kind of stiff. "Well, gentlemen, if you would excuse us. We still have an hour long drive back to Forks."

"Of course, of course!" said Dersnley. "It was a pleasure to see you again, Doctor Cullen. Mister Whitlock.." He dipped his head, briefly touching his hat while doing this before walking back to one of the squad cars parked there. Londington hurriedly did the same, a nasty smile on his lips, and then he quickly disappeared, too.

Standing next to him, Carlisle didn't look at me and that just made my growing guilt worse. He wordlessly picked up my handbag and walked back to our car in a stiff manner but still maintaining the umbrella above the both of us so I wouldn't get more wet. I silently followed him and climbed into our black Mercedes, waiting for him to come back as he was putting my stuff into the trunk of the shiny new car. When we were both strapped in, I couldn't take the silence any more and said,

"I'm sorry, Dad." I wasn't allowed to call him Carlisle to his face. "I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just..." I paused, searching for a good excuse for why I didn't introduce myself using his name. Right now, the whole situation only looked like I was ashamed to be known as the son of the amazing doctor Carlisle Cullen even though it wasn't the case. I mean, I was proud of my dad. He had done so many amazing things. And still, I don't know why I used Esme's name even though I was angry at her.

I sighed, "For real, I'm sorry, Dad."

Carlisle gave me an awkward, one-sided smile while ruffling my hair. He was still a little hurt, but at least he wasn't angry with me, which was a good thing to know. Carlisle started the car, driving out of the parking lot of Port Angeles' airport. Trying to keep my frustrated emotions at bay, I stared out of the window, a blur of green greeting my narrowed eyes. Lips pursed, I suppressed a sight. Sure, I couldn't deny the beauty of the nature out there. The trees were big and strong, vivid with colours, their trunk covered with moss. I almost thought that the vibrant leaves, the thick and shaggy bushes, the dainty flowers and the vigorous tall grass were possessed so lively they seemed.

I looked away; I already missed Phoenix.

"So," said Carlisle, throwing me an unsure look. "How's your mother."

Here it comes.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure she's doing fantastic. Fabulous." I sternly kept my eyes fixed in front of me. "All is good in her own little perfect world."

"Well, that's great for her I guess ...," Carlisle answered, a bit surprised from the sound of my bitter tone. "How's Phil?" He went on, almost sounding afraid to ask this question.

"Dad," I hissed stiffly, "could we please refrain talking about this right now? I really don't want to right now."

I bit my lip, an annoying habit that I couldn't give up, even if it gave some of my feelings away. I usually did that when the need to lash out my emotions at somebody's face was starting to make itself known. Sure, I was mostly calm, composed and the perfect gentleman when asked. But I felt thorn between Esme's actions that in my ridicule emotional state felt like a betrayal, and between my own choice to give up my former life so she could, for once, just think about her own happiness.

And still, I couldn't help but be angry.

"I understand what you must be feeling, Jasper. But I want you to know that I am really happy to have you here."

This time, as he smiled at me, I could see so much love and affection that some of my ire melted away.

"You just wait and see." I smirked, so he could see I was messing around. "I'll become a truant and drive everybody crazy in Forks with my imaginary car."

Carlisle laughed. "Some action at least!" He chuckled. "But seriously, now that you're bringing up this subject, I found a good car for you."

I raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Yeah? What kind of car?"

One wouldn't now this by first looking at Carlisle who was so cool and collected, but my Dad had this weakness that sometimes made him act like a little kid in a candy store.

He loved fast cars.

Let me be clear : when I said he loved fast cars, I actually meant that he literally adored them. He could go on hours talking about the exquisite differences that existed between an Acura advance and a Buggati that, in the end, only left one confused when, from somebody's point of view, car-language was as a foreign language as Chinese. I'll be honest, I had a weak spot for the Lamborghini gallardo but would never dare ride in this car or anything that was too fancy. I already drew enough attention as it was because of my stupid ability, adding a flashy car would only be asking for more trouble.

"Don't worry," smiled Carlisle, noticing my grim expression, "it's nothing too flamboyant. Actually, it's a truck; a Chevy."

I relaxed a little bit by hearing this. "Where did you find it?"

"Do you remember Billy Black down at La Push?"

I nodded. La Push is the tiny Indian reservation on the coast. I can recall having had a crush on Rachel, old Billy's daughter, when I was eight. She was older, fiery, and her almost black eyes always had had my little heart beating fast when Carlisle brought me along. Until she insisted on wanting to dress me like a human puppet because of my, according to her, amazing blue eyes and amazing blond hair.

I sneered. "I remember how Rachel traumatized me by stuffing me in this ugly dress."

She didn't talk to me after I pushed her fiercely away and threw her dress down the cliff. Trust me, seeing her angry red face was one of my few good memories.

"Good Lord, I had almost forgotten this!" Carlisle laughed.

"Lucky you," I muttered.

"Anyway, Billy's in a wheelchair now," Carlisle continued, a bit smiling, "so he can't drive any more, and he offered to sell me his truck cheap."

"Do you know what year it is?" I could see by his change of expression that this was the question he was hoping I wouldn't ask.

"Listen," Carlisle said, weighing his words, " Billy has done a lot of work on the machine – it's only a few years old, really. The car wasn't exactly new when he bought it in 1984 but I can assure you that the engine runs just great." He took a quick look at me. "But if you'd rather have a new car I still can -"

"Dad, relax," I said, smiling at his nervousness. "I bet the car is just fine. If there was one thing I'd have to trust without hesitation, that would definitely be your six sense in cars."

Carlisle laughed at my words, gently petting my hair. I looked away, a little bit embarrassed by this demonstration of affection and mumbled my thanks. We exchanged a few more comments on the weather and on Carlisle's job, and that was it for conversation. I don't really know how much time it took us, but eventually, we arrived at what was going to become my new home. The house was beautiful, big and spacious, painted in a creamed colour which looked pretty good next to the cosy porch. Granted, I didn't like Forks. But at least I would be living in a place that wasn't just magnificent thanks to Carlisle's well-paid job, but also because those walls had this atmosphere of welcoming and this was exactly what I needed.

I hopped out of Carlisle's Mercedes and saw it. There, parked on our driveway was my new – well, new to me that's it – truck. It was a faded blue colour, with big, rounded fenders and bulbous cab. The truck was huge, its impressive metal body letting anyone easily think that it could crush everything on its way, even though it was a little dented at some places. To my intense surprise, I freaking loved it. Yes, I didn't know if it was actually running, but I could already picture myself in it. I turned to face Carlisle. Looking kindly at me, he seemed a bit worried of my reaction. Baffled, I couldn't utter a single word right now and thus remained silent for a few seconds until Carlisle cracked out,

"Well...do you like it, son?"

I didn't answer. I literally rushed over to my car, noticing absent-mindedly Carlisle's grin. The truck looked even bigger as I stood in front of it. I beamed with controlled happiness as I checked it over. Afraid for an ridicule reason, I carefully stroked my fingers across the hood, chuckling to myself. Now my horrific day tomorrow would be just that much less dreadful. I wouldn't be faced with the choice of either walking two miles in the rain to school or accepting a ride in Doctor Cullen's new car which I was pretty sure everybody in Forks recognized.

"Wow, Dad, I really do like it!" I made it a point to sound composed. "Thanks again!"

Carlisle stared at my face with more intensity that I was comfortable with. "I'm glad you like it," he finally said, his gaze caring.

Biting my lip, I breathed out some of my chained feelings, "I'm happy to be with you, Dad... I really am."

My words seemed to surprise him. Carlisle stood there for a moment before snapping out of his trance. In two steps he was in front of me and swiftly took me into a brief, but warm embrace, as he knew that I didn't really like to be touched. Because then my ability to sense other's feelings would increase in strength and power, leaving this weird sensation in my chest. Again, he stroked my hair, his blue eyes boring into mine and I just knew how my decision to stay here by his side was important to him. Caressing my cheek, he turned away and headed for the front door, my handbag in his hand. I blinked once, clearing my thoughts by doing this and quickly followed him.

It took only one trip to get all my stuff upstairs as Esme had made it her duty to send all my stuff beforehand so I could feel a little bit more like at home, back in Arizona. I got the west bedroom that wasn't only on the first floor but also faced out over the large, beautiful front yard. The huge, luminous room was familiar; it had been belonged to me since I was born but it had changed a couple of years ago as I decided to make a complete makeover out of it. The wooden floor was now covered by this rich, creamed coloured carpet. The once light blue walls were now a soft golden, embracing into their brightness the plushy furnitures. Around the two big windows of the room were white lace curtains that were almost brushing the floor. In one of the corners stood my desk that held the brand new computer Esme bought me as a goodbye present along other stuff I took with me from Phoenix. Even though my bedroom looked pretty much modern, I just couldn't get rid of the rocking chair from my baby days.

Sighing, I flopped onto my ridiculously enormous bed, closing my eyes and willing myself to fall asleep. But the wet noise against my windows made this impossible and it took me a while to noticed that it had started to rain again. Cursing, I finally decided to start unpacking so I could get settled. One of the best things about Carlisle is he doesn't hover. He let me my space as I was minding my own business, music in my ears so I wouldn't have to hear the sound of the depressing rain. As it was, I was left alone and truth be told, I embraced the loneliness surrounding me. Because, for a change, it was nice not to have to smile and look pleased. Not that I was smiling this often, but still, it was a relief to just stare dejectedly out the window at the sheeting rain and let a few frustrated sounds escape.

And then it occurred to me that tomorrow morning, I was going to school. Forks High School had a frightening total of only three hundred and fifty-seven – now fifty-eight – students; there were more than seven hundred people in my junior class alone back home. All of the kids here had grown up together - their grandparents had been toddlers together. I would be the new boy from the big city, a curiosity, a freak. I tensed at this thought. O.K., I was so not going to think about this now. I stiffly put my clothes in my dresser and took my bathroom bag and shut myself in my own personal bathroom that was next to my bedroom. It took me some times to really let myself relax under the warm water jets but at some point I managed to do so. Changing into my sleeveless shirt and my sweatpants, I went downstairs to see what Carlisle was doing.

Nose almost glued to a cookery book, hair a complete mess but face painfully serious, Carlisle was standing awkwardly by the kitchen cabinet, a frying pan in hand.

I hold back a laugh reluctantly. "Dad? What the hell are you doing?"

Carlisle jumped, startled, and he almost looked ashamed to have been caught in this position. He slowly put the frying pan down before clearing his throat, a bit self-conscious I guess.

"I was trying to make some rice for dinner," he finally confessed.

"In a frying pan?" I emphasized. Even I, who was such a hopeless case in cooking matters knew that this was definitely not the way to make rice. "Why would you do that? We both know we can't even warm up milk without burning it." In my eyes, microwaves were the best invention ever.

Carlisle sighed, defeated. "I just wanted to make you something to eat. You know, as a welcoming meal."

I remained speechless for a while. I wasn't good at voicing out my emotions, so instead, I decided to show him. Walking to the wall phone next to the double door, I took it in into my hands and asked,

"Is Franny's number still the same?"

Me and Carlisle used to go eat at Franny's Home every single time we ended up blowing anything up in the kitchen while trying to cook something edible. We finally gave up when I was five and the food we made actually looked like burned rubber and just made sure to always order from Franny's restaurant that was probably the best food we ever ate beside Esme's. I recalled once having told Carlisle, back then when I was little, that I would marry Franny so we would get all this food for free.

Now that I think about it, Franny was probably in her late fifties. Oh. My. God. Not a good mental image!

A bit put out by this, I was a little startled to suddenly hear Carlisle burst into happy fits of laugher, seeming to have caught up with me thoughts.

"Right, you asked her!" He snickered. "You really did ask Franny to marry you! I almost forgot about that, too!"

I wished he had.

"Can you please stop laughing at me? I was six, Dad."

"You did that in front of everyone," he continued, "and Franny was mortified. She didn't know if she should see your actions as cute or embarrassing since you virtually imposed her to accept your proposal! And you were so tiny back then and still you did this!"

I groaned. "God, please, stop this."

In a sudden good mood, Carlisle took the phone from my hands and while grinning innocently at me said,

"Do you want us to order or would you rather want us to go and pay Franny a visit?"

Excuse me? Those are the thanks you get when you're trying to make a good action? Fantastic. Pursing my lips, I refrained from answering, and with all my remaining dignity, I stalked out of the kitchen. Even as I was slumping into the couch back in the living-room, I heard Carlisle laugh. I rolled my eyes. God, my Dad was such a kid sometimes. But when Carlisle's happy voice filled the house with the songs he used to sing to me when I was a child, I couldn't help smiling.

Step by step, I would certainly find my way back home.

o0o0o

Edward was trying hard not to think.

Instead, he blissfully looked up at the sky that wasn't blue or bright, but milky and opaque, its gloomy shade filling the air. The cold wind was ruffling his untidy hair, bringing with its blows a musky sent of clean grass, fresh raindrops, and the heavy fragrance of wet wood. Perched on the rooftop of the Mansion, his disregarded book next to him, Edward was attempting to focus all his senses on his surroundings.

He heard her arrival in advance; her movements to reach him were smooth, light, almost perfect, but nonetheless, a nearly inaudible sound reached his sensitive ears, making him frown in displeasure.

"I thought I made it clear when I said I didn't want to be disturbed?"

Ignoring his exasperated words, she gracefully dropped by his side, going as far as to pick up his forgotten book before carelessly flipping through the pages. Edward briefly closed his eyes, a wave of annoyance washing over him. However, he chose to remain as calm as possible, darting his eyes back at the dull-looking sky.

"So you're just going to ignore me?" Her voice was as beautiful as the ringing of sweet bells, clear and exquisite but at this moment, it just added weight to his already growing displeasure.

Snorting, Edward replied, "Oh, would that offend you? Exactly like you just offended me by deliberately ignoring my early request and forcing your presence on me?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "I'm so terribly sorry about that."

"I see you're in a delightful mood," she mumbled, put out by his tone.

"That's my point!' Edward hissed between clenched teeth, massaging his temples in jerky movements. "If I actually bothered to climb all the way up here, it was because I needed to think some things over. Alone."

"I'm just trying to-"

"Bella," Edward whispered in a dangerous voice, "why won't you try to get lost?"

She threw him a hurt look before growling out,

"Now you're being a prick." She nudged him on the chest, expression dark. "We are worried about you. I am worried about you!"

"Then don't be!" Edward finally snapped, standing up while glaring down at her. "I don't need you to worry about anything that revolves around me! I'm fine!"

Bella snarled, "Right, you are just fine mopping around by yourself." She stood up so she could face him. "Why won't you talk, Edward?" Hesitating, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Why won't you talk...to me, Edward?"

During an instant, Edward felt defeated and couldn't utter a single word, his handsome face losing all of its previous harshness.

He saw her.

He saw her lovely heart-shaped face turned towards him, saw her long hair swirling softly around her pale face in a dark halo, saw how her pouty mouth was set into a cute frown. But mostly, he saw this sparkling love that she felt for him, shining brightly into those hypnotizing eyes of hers.

This sparkling brotherly love.

Yeah, Edward saw her pretty well.

"Go back to Alice," he finally declared, tone cold. "Don't make your mate wait any more longer by wasting your time with me."

He turned his back to her, missing her stretched hand in a hopeless attempt to hold him back. At the edge of the roof, Edward dropped into position and jumped. Nearing the ground with a frightening speed, instead of showing any fear of crashing down, Edward relished into the thrilling feeling that washed over him. Landing in a graceful, nearly soundless crouched posture, Edward didn't bother to look back and wheeled away towards the wood.

He ran with the grace of a feline, body becoming an accurate instrument that could easily switched from a skilful opponent to a downright dangerous predator. It was almost like he was running after his own piece of happiness, yearning to finally find this special person able to fill the emptiness that was pulsing mercilessly in his chest.

Bella materialized into his mind.

He growled, forcibly pushing onto the ground and leaping forward, his whole being seeming to be driven by an aching necessity not to think any more! Speeding up, running faster and faster, Edward ended up bursting into his self-proclaimed clearing. He stood in the middle of it, not sweating or panting but proud and tall like a glorious felid. He looked up at the sky that was still milky and opaque, its gloomy shade still filling the air. And in his chest, this aching emptiness still pulsed viciously, reminding him of how lonely he really was.

Edward screamed.

o0o0o

"Are you sure about this?"

Bella, Edward's book pressed against her chest, kept her gaze fixed on the distant forest. By the abrupt movements of the thick leaves, she could easily tell where her brother in all but blood was heading. Arms suddenly wrapped around her in a tender embrace and Bella sigh with contentment, leaning into the familiar sensation.

"I mean," she whispered, "what if it doesn't work?"

Waiting for an answer, a chilling scream violently pierced the air instead, echoing into sorrowful vibrations all around them. Bella clenched almost painfully at the book in her hands, her face suddenly torn into a tearful expression. Her breath hitched, her shoulders tensed and a pitiful whimper escaped her trembling lips. Gentle fingers stroked her cheeks, soothing her silently.

"I'm sure about this. Trust me, Bella."

"I trust you, Alice," Bella affirmed with vehemence, turning around quickly so she could finally face her, "but I really want this to be true. He..." She cast her eyes down. "He deserves happiness more than anyone." She brought the book to her lips, letting them brush on the cracked surface.

"Look at me, Bella," Alice asked gently.

Head down and biting anxiously on her bottom lip, Bella did as requested and was met with a sight that immediately relieved her of any anxieties she could have had. Alice was smiling at her, such deep love shining into those eyes she had fallen in love with almost instantaneously. She couldn't help but press her forehead on Alice's, enjoying her particular floral sent and breathing it in like it was the most wonderful smell on earth.

"I know you want him to be happy again; we all want this, Bella. But you need to be patient. He's on his way."

Bella blinked in confusion. "Who?"

Smirking, Alice shrugged innocently, not willing to tell her this part of her vision. Giving easily up on this piece of information, knowing that Alice wouldn't divulge anything, Bella turned around a last time, glancing at the forest. She was silent for a long time before she spoke out a promise,

"Whoever this person is that can make Edward whole again, I swear I'll make anything to protect this unique bond he'll finally have. Anything."

Alice smiled fondly; this was going to be fun.

Muhaha, indeed, my dear Alice, we are going to have so much fun! :D Quick question, did anyone guess what exactly was the Omen in this chapter? This piece of information will be the key to the whole story in fact, so try to find it if you haven't yet, ;D Anyway, I hope to see you all for the next chapter, :)

PS : Anyone willing to become my beta? ._.